Against an inspired Federer, Murray snatched the first set, but could not claim the victory that so many British sports fans were praying for.

“I’m getting closer,” Murray said afterwards, as he choked his way through one of the longest and most tearful runner-up speeches in the history of the sport. And he was right, because this was the first time in his four big finals that he was beaten purely on the court, rather than in his own mind.

The Murrayphiles were reaching for their hankies a few moments later, as their idol stammered out his gratitude. “Everybody talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, how tough it is,” he said. “But it’s not the people watching, they make it so much easier to play. The support has been incredible, so thank you.”